Culver falls to Bandon

Bulldogs pick up Class 1A team to fill in bye

The Culver High School football team finally got to start its season, but it didn't quite end how they would have liked it.

The Bulldogs fell to the Class 3A Bandon Tigers 18-14 on Friday in Bandon, a week after they had their first scheduled game canceled due to the accidental death of a North Douglas team member.

A 60-yard interception return for a touchdown by Bandon's Trae Dyer in the third quarter ended up being the difference, and head coach Shea Little said the Bulldogs misfired on some other chances they had.

"We fumbled on the 2-yard-line going in, and the pick six really hurt us," Little said. "But our guys played big and they played hard. We played a great fourth quarter, and one of our goals all year is to finish strong."

Bandon kept the ball out of Culver's hands for nearly the entire first quarter, chewing up more than 10 minutes, before they punched in the game's first touchdown.

Culver quarterback Clay McClure, a transfer from Central Linn, hit Kyle Easterly with a scoring pass four plays later to tie the game.

Bandon quarterback Shawn Peters found Tristian Davidson for a 14-yard touchdown pass right before the end of the first half, and the Culver defense held for the entire second half and didn't allow a score.

"We made some good adjustments in the second half defensively," Little said. "When we came out before the game, it looked like they would outmatch us physically, but our kids played hard."

Culver managed to gain 161 yards on the ground, but only 50 through the air.

Levi Vincent scored Culver's other touchdown on a short run.

In lieu of the team's first scheduled game against North Douglas being called off, Culver has filled their previously scheduled bye on Friday with Class 1A Siletz Valley.

Since 1A schools play eight-man football rather than 11-man, the matchup creates a bit of an issue. As traditionally done between schools that play different styles of football, the team that is on offense will play with its regular amount of players.

When Culver has the ball, they will have 11 on the field and Siletz Valley will defend with 11. When the Warriors take the ball, they will play with eight and the Bulldogs will defend with eight.